US, Canada look to deepen defense ties

WASHINGTON, Feb 7 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and his Canadian counterpart Harjit Sajjan met at the Pentagon Monday to discuss ways to deepen their military ties in the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS/ISIL), and within the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), an official statement said.
Mattis "thanked Canada for its commitments to NATO and the counter-ISIL campaign, and agreed to continued discussions with Canada and other coalition members on the progress of the US counter-ISIL strategy review" per President Donald Trump's executive order, the statement affirmed.
The two leaders "reaffirmed the US-Canada defense relationship, emphasizing their commitments to NORAD and continental defense, and agreeing to deepen cooperation to protect North America, noting that 2018 will be the 60th anniversary of NORAD," the statement noted. They also discussed their defense investments, as well as "modernization to ensure continued cooperation" between the two countries.
Monday's meeting was the first time Mattis hosted a foreign counterpart at the Pentagon. (end) ys.gta